Sins of the Father

by Angela Benson

  Isaac shook her head. “Now you’re talking crazy. In case you didn’t notice, Josette’s pregnant—very pregnant. Besides, I barely know the woman.”

  She bit her lower lip. “Maybe it doesn’t matter to you.”

  “Let me make this clear,” he said. “Josette is not part of our problem. Your lies about your relationship with Michael are our problem.”

  “We can work through it,” she pleaded. “Other couples have made it through worse.”

  He shook his head. “I don’t see how we can. It’s too close for comfort. The reality is that he’s my brother and you’ve slept with both of us. I don’t see how I can get around that. Maybe if you had told me when you found out I could have adjusted, but not now when I have to deal with the act and the lie. It’s too much.”

  “But I love you. Doesn’t that count for anything?”

  He studied his wife. He tried to summon up the confidence he’d felt in their love, their relationship, but there was nothing there. “You need to see an attorney,” he said.

  She began shaking her head as if she didn’t want to hear what he was saying. “I don’t want a divorce,” she repeated. “I love you.”

  A part of him wanted to comfort her, but he didn’t want to send mixed signals. “Get an attorney,” he said. “I’ll be fair.”

  “Fair—” she began.

  “Excuse me,” a uniformed nurse that Isaac had met before said, interrupting their conversation. “Mr. Martin, there’s been a change in your father’s condition.”

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Deborah sat in the passenger seat of Alan’s Benz while he drove them down a winding road in the southern Atlanta suburb of Forest Park. When he’d told her he wanted to take her somewhere, it never occurred to her that it would be to the Martin estate. “Are you taking me where I think you’re taking me?” she asked.

  He gave her a sideways glance. “You’ve asked a lot of questions about Abraham, so I thought you might like to see his place. Was I wrong?”

  Deborah had mixed emotions. She’d always wondered about this estate, but the idea of seeing it only made her anxious. She remembered the trip she and Michael had made out here and their reluctance to travel down this road to get a good look. Instead, they stopped at the main road and had to imagine what the estate looked like. “You weren’t wrong,” she said. “It just feels strange.”

  “How so?”

  She looked out the window at the wooded forest lining both sides of the road. “It drives home the differences in our lives, his with Saralyn and Isaac, and mine with Mama and Michael. I’ll have to show you where we grew up.”

  He reached for her hand. “We can turn back,” he said. “We don’t have to do this.”

  She shook her head. “No, I want to see it.”

  “Get ready,” he said. “It takes your breath away.”

  “Oh…my…God,” Deborah said when she saw the expansive two-story stucco, stone, and limestone mansion sitting at the end of the road. The house looked like something from Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. There was an active fountain within the brick herringbone-patterned circular drive. “I never imagined.”

  “Blame the extravagance on Saralyn. Abraham loved the location. She did the rest.” He pulled the car to a stop near the front door. “Want to get out?”

  Deborah’s curiosity overwhelmed her anxiety. “Of course,” she said, unbuckling her seat beat. “Are you sure it’s okay for me to be here?”

  “Positive,” he said. “Abraham and Saralyn spend most of their time in their downtown condo. They come here on weekends and when they’re hosting a big event that needs the down home touch.”

  Deborah stepped out of the car after Alan opened the door for her. “Thank you,” she said. “And not just for the car door. Thank you for bringing me here. It was a sensitive and caring thing to do.”

  Alan pushed one of her braids across her shoulder. “It’s the least I can do. An old man like me has to go all out to keep the attention of a beautiful young woman like yourself.”

  “You’re not an old man,” she said.

  He lifted a brow. “How old are you?”

  “A woman doesn’t reveal her age,” she said. “How old are you?”

  “Old enough to be your father,” he said. “Fifty-two. Same as Abraham.”

  “That’s not old.”

  Alan threw back his head and laughed.

  “What’s so funny?” she asked.

  “You,” he said. He took her hands in his and pulled her up the marble steps to the mahogany double-entry front doors. “Ready?” he asked. When she nodded, he lifted the gold door knocker.

  Shortly, a black woman in her early sixties, wearing a dark gray dress and white apron, opened the door. “Mr. Alan,” she said. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

  Alan leaned in and kissed her brow. “Thanks for taking care of us.”

  “It’s not a bother. This house needs more activity.” She glanced at Deborah. “And who is our guest today?”

  “This is Abraham’s daughter,” he said. “Deborah, this is Mrs. Hall. She’s been working for Abraham and Saralyn forever. She runs the place,” he added. “They just live here.”

  Chuckling, Mrs. Hall extended her hand. “Welcome, Miss Deborah,” she said. “It’s nice to finally meet Mr. Abraham’s daughter. You look like him.”

  “You should see my brother,” Deborah managed to say. She was overwhelmed by the majesty of the home. The foyer felt bigger than her mother’s whole house. She could see the graceful ironwork of the winding staircase to her left. A rotunda library was to her right. Straight ahead was what she assumed was the great room, and a great room it was. A wall of two-story windows showcased the patio and gardens beyond.

  “Well, I look forward to meeting him,” Mrs. Hall was saying. She turned to Alan. “Are you ready to eat now or would you like to tour the house first?”

  “What do you think?” Alan asked Deborah.

  “I don’t know,” she answered, torn between wanting to explore like a kid and to hide like a burglar. “I’d feel like I’m invading their privacy.”

  “Let’s eat first, Mrs. Hall,” he said to the older woman. “I’ll show Deborah to the back patio.”

  Alan took her hand. “There’s no need to be nervous. This is your father’s house. He’s opened his life to you, Deborah. He would approve.”

  She looked sideways at him. “Would Saralyn?”

  “Beautiful and smart,” he said, “a lethal combination. Don’t worry. We’re safe. Saralyn’s at the hospital with Abraham.”

  He led her through the foyer and the great room, on through some double doors and out to the patio. Except it was a patio unlike any she had seen. It ran the length of the house and was separated from the gardens by a short wall about a foot tall that served as seating. She guessed the patio floor was made of travertine, which most people used inside their homes.

  “Saralyn has good taste,” she muttered, taking in the elegantly set patio table. She’d bet the glasses were crystal and the plates were designer. Lifestyles of the rich and famous, right down to the linen napkins.

  Alan pulled out a chair for her and took the one next to it. Deborah couldn’t help but compare the extravagance of this home with the humbleness of the places she’d lived while growing up. They lived in a two-bedroom rental house until she was in middle school and her mother had purchased a home. She still remembered the celebration the three of them had the first night in their new but modest house. She and Michael were ecstatic to finally have their own rooms after having shared a room for so long. She thought about how hard her mother had worked to be able to purchase that home, and how proud she’d been to do it. She wondered what Saralyn and Abraham would think of the home that had meant so much to her, her mother, and her brother.

  “A penny for your thoughts,” Alan said.

  She turned her attention to him. “I’m afraid they’re not worth that much. I was thinking about how they live here an
d how I live. They’re two very different worlds.”

  He poured them each a glass of lemonade from the pitcher on the table. “It’s natural to wonder what it would have been like to grow up here.”

  Shaking her head, she picked up her glass. “You know Abraham,” she said, leaning toward him. “How could he have all this and not share more of it with us? Sure, he sent us money regularly over the years, but it was nothing compared to this. My mama had to work, and work hard. My brother and I have always worked, too. I’m not saying Abraham should have made sure our lifestyle matched his, but he certainly could have made life much easier for us. And the cost would have been a pittance to him. I don’t get it.”

  “Be happy that you don’t get it,” Alan said. “It means your mother did a good job with you.”

  She lifted a brow. “You can say that after Michael’s fight in the boardroom yesterday?”

  Alan laughed. “Everybody has an off day.”

  “How kind of you.”

  “Seriously, though, don’t waste your time figuring out why. It’s going to take all you have to deal with now.”

  Deborah wasn’t sure how realistic Alan’s suggestion was, but she decided to give it a shot, at least for this afternoon. “I’ll try,” she said, sipping her lemonade.

  He reached for her hand. “Let’s take a walk through the gardens and down to the pools while we wait for our meal.”

  She took his hand and let him lead her through the beautiful gardens. “I wanted to talk you about something,” she said as they made their way down the marble stairs to the lower gardens.

  “Sounds like work.”

  “There’s a fine line between work life and personal life these days.”

  He chuckled. “Good point. What do you want to talk about?”

  She paused when they reached the pools. There were two of them, an Olympic-sized pool and a smaller oval shaped pool. There was also a spa that would seat about twenty people. “Mama and I have decided Michael should take his seat on the board.”

  He led her around the pools. “May I ask why?”

  “We think it was wrong of Abraham to keep him on the outside. I didn’t have to prove myself, and neither did Isaac. Why should Michael? It’s not fair. Do we have your support?”

  He stopped and looked at her. “You don’t need my support. Abraham was clear. As long as you and your mother are in agreement, it’s done.”

  They had circled the pools and were now headed back up the stairs to the patio. “That’s it? It’s that easy?”

  “I like easy,” he said. “Don’t you?”

  Before she could answer, Alan’s cell phone rang. He dropped her hand. “Excuse me, I need to get this.” He stepped away from her and took the call. When he hung up, he said, “We have to get to the hospital. Abraham’s out of his coma.”

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  I want that one,” Josette said pointing to the white wicker bassinet on the laptop screen. “Don’t you love it?”

  Leah stood over her daughter-in-law’s shoulder. “It’s cute, but I like the one next to it better.” She pointed to the screen. “What do you think?”

  Josette giggled. “Maybe we should get both—one for our house and one for yours.”

  Leah squeezed Josette’s shoulders. “I like how you think.”

  Josette typed in another search term. “Let’s look at strollers. I saw one that would be perfect for jogging.”

  Leah settled into the dining room chair next to Josette and moved it so she had a good view of the computer screen. She knew they were in for a long and very enjoyable evening of computer window-shopping. “A jogging stroller? You’ve got to be kidding.”

  “Kidding about what?” Michael asked, entering the dining room, spatula in hand. “I need more barbecue sauce, Mama. Please tell me you have some. I don’t want to have to go to the store again.”

  Leah pushed back her chair. “There should be some in the pantry. Did you check?”

  Michael looked down on his mother and pretended to pat the top of her head with the spatula. “My focus is on the cooking. You women ought to be responsible for something.”

  “I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that,” Josette said.

  Michael looked over Josette’s shoulder at the screen. “What are you looking at?” he asked her.

  Leah got up and went to look for the barbecue sauce. The phone rang as she walked past. She picked it up. “Hello.”

  “It’s me, Mama,” her daughter’s voice came through the line.

  “Oh, hey, Deborah. Michael’s barbecuing tonight. Why don’t you come over?” she said. To be contrary, she added, “You can bring Alan.”

  “Mama,” she said. “Abraham’s out of his coma. Alan and I are on our way to the hospital. Will you meet us there? I’ll call Michael.”

  “Michael’s here,” she said. “I’ll tell him.”

  “But you’ll meet us there?”

  Leah held the phone tighter, using both hands. “I’ll make sure your brother comes. I don’t think I should be there.”

  “I understand,” Deborah said, though she was clearly disappointed. “Tell Michael I need him.”

  “Will do,” Leah said. Then she hung up the phone.

  When she returned to the dining room, Michael had taken her seat and was now held captive by Josette. “That was Deborah,” she told them.

  “Did you tell her to get over here?” Michael asked. “We have more than enough food.”

  Leah shook her head. “The doctors brought Abraham out of the coma. Deborah’s with Alan and they’re on their way to the hospital.” She pinned Michael with a stare. “She wants you to meet her there.”

  Michael shook his head. “No way. You go.”

  “I shouldn’t be there,” she said. “You and Deborah are his children. You should go.”

  “Your mother’s right,” Josette added.

  Michael got up from his chair. “I’ve got ribs and burgers waiting on me.”

  Josette reached for his hand to stop him from leaving the room. “You need to go, Michael.”

  He tried to shake off her hand but she held on. “The man means nothing me, Josette, and I mean nothing to him. I don’t belong there.”

  “Maybe it’s time you tried to change that,” she pleaded. “Whatever is going on with you and Abraham, he’s the grandfather of our unborn child. Our baby deserves to know him, to have a relationship with him. If you won’t do it for yourself, do it for the baby.”

  Leah watched a variety of emotions cross her son’s face and prayed he’d make the right decision. “I can’t do it,” he said. “I can’t.”

  Josette took her hand off Michael’s hand. “Okay,” she said. “But if you won’t do it, I will.”

  Michael looked at her as though she’d said she was going to kill somebody. “Do what?”

  Josette pushed back her chair and stood. “I’m going to the hospital to see Abraham.”

  “You don’t have to do that for me.”

  Josette picked up her purse and fished out her car keys. “I’m not doing it for you. I’m doing it for our baby and for Deborah. I know she doesn’t want to be down there with the Martins by herself. Did you think of that, Michael?”

  He looked away. “Deborah’s a big girl. She can handle it. Besides, Alan’s with her. What’s up with that anyway?”

  Josette ignored his comment. She looked at Leah. “Are you sure you don’t want to come with me?”

  “I want to be there for Deborah, but I think there’ll be less drama if I stay away.” She pulled Josette into a hug. “Thank you, sweetheart, for representing the family. You’re so right to think of your baby first.” She eyed Michael. “Unlike some people.”

  Josette pulled out of Leah’s embrace. “I’ll call you as soon as I have some details.”

  Leah walked her to the door. “Drive carefully,” she said, then stood in the doorway and watched Josette drive away. When Josette was out of sight, Leah closed the door and went l
ooking for Michael. She found him in the backyard at the grill.

  “You should have gone, Michael,” she said. “If not for Abraham, for Deborah. She’s your sister and she needed you.”

  Michael flipped a burger patty. “Deborah’s fine without me,” he said. “She’s making a place for herself in that family. She’ll be fine.”

  “Deborah’s not trading in one family for another. You know that, don’t you?”

  “Maybe she’s trading up to a better family.”

  Leah slapped her son on the back of his head. “You’re talking crazy. You know that, don’t you? Deborah loves you,” she said. “But that doesn’t mean she can’t love her father. Don’t take that away from her.”

  “I’m not taking anything away from her.”

  “Then let my words serve as a warning. Don’t make her choose between the two of you.”

  “Because she’ll choose him?”

  Leah shook her head. “Because she’ll choose you.”

  “Don’t be so sure.”

  “You don’t know how wrong you are. She’s very upset because Abraham didn’t give you a seat on the MEEG board. She’s talking to Alan tonight about you taking your rightful place there.”

  “I thought you agreed with Abraham that I couldn’t be trusted to have a voice in his business.”

  She placed her hand on his cheek, hoping to counter some of the bitterness she heard in his voice. “You’re my son and I love you, but let’s be honest. You haven’t given Abraham any reason to trust you.”

  “If you feel that way, why are you going along with Deborah’s idea?”

  She pushed out an exasperated sigh. “Because she’s right. Isaac didn’t have to prove his loyalty to get his seat and neither did she, so why should you? Don’t ever doubt how much your sister loves you, Michael, and don’t ever put that love to the test. You’ll win and lose at the same time. You both will.”

  Leah pressed a kiss against her son’s cheek and left him to think about her words. She had to think on them herself. Her feelings about Abraham had grown very cold since her last conversation with Saralyn. It hurt to know how little he’d concerned himself with her, Michael, and Deborah over the years, even less than she’d thought. She would never let her kids know, and she prayed Saralyn would never tell them either.